What am I looking at?

I bought a house that has some sprinklers in the yard. I cannot find a control box. There is a box in the front by the main water valve that I dug up some stuff. I don't know what it is. What is this that I dug up? Will this help me find the controller?

What you have are 2 zone valves. One mostly unearthed, the other you have the just the tippy top uncovered.
As for the controller, if you have a garage start there for evidence of any wiring that may have one time came thru a wall, or something. examine your structure for any marks of piping that was removed or disconnected.